Staff Software Engineer, Embedded

Kodiak; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Annual bonuses

Medical, Dental, Vision

Flexible PTO

Dog-friendly office

Free catered lunch

EV charging

401(k)

Job summary

Kodiak Robotics, Inc. is seeking an Embedded Software Engineer to design low‑level software for autonomous trucks, collaborating across hardware and software teams to ensure safety and reliability.

The role focuses on embedded platforms (x86, ARM), C/C++, driver interfaces, sensors, and in‑vehicle debugging, with a strong emphasis on testable, mission‑critical software. The Mountain View office serves as the base for hands‑on hardware work and cross‑disciplinary development.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or Computer Engineering or equivalent experience
• 8+ years of software development experience, ideally in automotive/aerospace or related industry
• Extensive experience in C++
• Deep knowledge of embedded programming platforms
• Good understanding of networking fundamentals
• Experience with low-level hardware buses (I2C, CAN, SPI, UART)
• Experience with high-speed hardware communication (PCIe, Automotive Ethernet)
• Hands-on willingness to work on subsystems in lab or shop environment
• Excellent documentation skills
• Passion for autonomous vehicles and safety

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with hardware EE on design and test of high reliable hardware systems
• Collaborate with software engineering on architecture, optimizations and reviews
• Contribute to hardware specifications to ensure test coverage and fault detection
• Participate in hands‑on hardware bring‑up in the engineering lab using analyzers and probes
• Debug common truck functions on the vehicles (Driver interfaces, Braking, Steering)
• Develop software for embedded platforms (x86, ARM) in C/C++
• Develop software for sensors (Camera, Radar, Lidar, IMU)
• Develop software for network devices; time synchronization experience a plus

Skills

C++ programming

Embedded systems

Networking fundamentals

On-vehicle debugging

Hardware bring-up

Strong communicator

Autonomous vehicles passion

Education

BS or MS in CS/EE/CE

Tools

PCIe

Automotive Ethernet

CAN bus

I2C

SPI

UART

Job description

Kodiak Robotics, Inc. was founded in 2018 and has become a leader in autonomous ground transportation committed to a safer and more efficient future for all. The company has developed an artificial intelligence (AI) powered technology stack purpose-built for commercial trucking and the public sector. The company delivers freight daily for its customers across the southern United States using its autonomous technology. In 2024, Kodiak became the first known company to publicly announce delivering a driverless semi-truck to a customer. Kodiak is also leveraging its commercial self-driving software to develop, test and deploy autonomous capabilities for the U.S. Department of Defense.

We are looking for an Embedded Software Engineer with a background in embedded systems who understands how to ship mission critical software. The role will collaborate across hardware and software teams to design the low level devices that interface with our truck systems, ensure reliable operations of large robots, and provide cutting edge functionality to real customers. The role will bring the best of modern software engineering to ensure a high level of safety and performance.

In this role, you will:

• Collaborate with hardware EE on design and test of high reliable hardware systems
• Collaborate with software engineering on architecture, optimizations and reviews
• Contribute to hardware specifications to ensure test coverage and fault detection
• Participate in hands‑on hardware bring‑up in the engineering lab using analyzers and probes
• Debug common truck functions on the vehicles (Driver interfaces, Braking, Steering)
• Develop software for embedded platforms (x86, ARM) in C/C++
• Develop software for sensors. Evaluation and production (Camera, Radar, Lidar, IMU)
• Develop software for network devices, time synchronization experience a plus

What you’ll bring:

• Strong technical background. BS or MS, or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or Computer Engineering
• 8+ years of software development experience, ideally within the automotive, aerospace or a related industry
• Extensive programming experience in C++
• Deep knowledge of embedded programming platforms
• Good understanding of networking fundamentals
• Experience with implementation and on‑vehicle debugging of low level hardware buses such as I2C, CAN, SPI, and UART
• Experience with high speed hardware communication such as PCIe and Automotive Ethernet
• Hands on. You are just as comfortable getting your hands dirty analyzing a subsystem in the shop as when using a keyboard.
• Great communicator. You have experience writing clear, concise, and detailed documentation
• Passion. You are passionate about autonomous vehicles and their potential impact on humanity

What we offer:

• Competitive compensation package including equity and annual bonuses
• Excellent Medical, Dental, and Vision plans through Kaiser Permanente, Cigna, and MetLife (including a medical plan with infertility benefits)
• MetLife Legal Services, Identity & Fraud Protection, Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Accident Insurance, & Critical Illness Insurance
• Flexible PTO, 10 paid holidays, and generous parental leave policies
• Our office is centrally located in Mountain View, CA
• Office perks: dog‑friendly, free catered lunch, a fully stocked kitchen, and free EV charging
• Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability, Life Insurance
• Wellbeing Benefits - Headspace through Cigna, Calm through Kaiser, One Medical, Gympass, Spring Health through Cigna, Rula (mental health navigation)
• Fidelity 401(k)
• Commuter, FSA, Dependent Care FSA, HSA
• Various incentive programs (referral bonuses, patent bonuses, etc.)

The pay range listed below reflects the base salaryin our SF/Silicon Valley location,across several internal levels. Actual starting pay will be based on job-related factors including: work location, experience, relevant training, education, skill level and performance during interview. Total compensation at Kodiak includes base pay, equity, bonus and a competitive benefits package

California Pay Range

$200,000 — $250,000 USD

At Kodiak, we strive to build a diverse community working towards our common company goals in a safe and collaborative environment where harassment of any kind is strictly prohibited. Kodiak is committed to equal opportunity employment regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

In alignment with its business operations, Kodiak adheres to all relevant statutes, regulations, and administrative prerequisites. Accordingly, roles that carry more sensitive requirements may be limited to candidates that can satisfy additional scrutiny and eligibility for such positions may hinge on verification of a candidate’s residence, U.S. person status, and/or citizenship status. Should the position require, and Kodiak determines that a candidate’s residence, U.S. person status, and/or citizenship status necessitate an export license, bar the candidate from the position, or otherwise fall under national security‑related restrictions, Kodiak will consider the candidate for alternative positions unaffected by such restrictions, under terms and conditions set forth at Kodiak’s sole discretion, or, as an alternative, opt not to proceed with the candidate’s application. If applicable, Kodiak may provide visa sponsorship for eligible candidates.